Parachute release for kites



y 27, 1952 H. LE M. BIRD 2,598,030

PARACHUTE RELZEASE FOR KITES Filed NOV. 8, 1949 v 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 1 4 I 1 I I 1 I 1 1 z 1 1 IN V EN TOR.

m fiawfw 2 Sl-IEETSSHEET 2 I H. LE M. BIRD R J I PARACHUTE RELEASE FOR KITES HVVENTUR. HLEMo/vr 51.90 BY &, W r/ g.

I 4/7ZM50E749 May 27, 1952 Filed Nov. 8, 1949 Patented May 27, 1952 1 UNITED sTATEs Application November 8, 1949, Serial No. 126,210

' 4 Claims. (01. 244-455) This -invention relates to a parachute carrier and release device for kites which may be used in conjunction with a conventional kite for sending a parachute up the kite cord and for releasing such parachute at a predetermined point on the cord.

Heretofore various devices have been employed for sending a parachute or the like along a kite cord and'for automatically releasing such a parachute. However, for the most part, such prior artdevices have either been so expensive to construct as to preclude their use by most children, or have been so fragile that they are likely to be broken and discarded after a short period of use.

Some of these prior devices'employ a trolley which is suspended on the kite cord and adapted to'roll along the'cord on sheaves. Although such devices may be employed in certain res'cue operations at sea, they are not adapted for use as a toy because of their complexity and weight.

'Simpler devices have been constructed as toys butall such devices of which I am aware depend for their operation on the actuation of relatively light members constructed of wire to minimize the weight of the device. The wire members'of these devices are easily bent and since the operation of the devices depends on accurate movement of these wire members through relatively small apertures, misadjustment often results.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a simple, practical and inexpensive'device which maybe constructed with the desired degree of lightness required for such a device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a parachute'release for kites which offers very little resistance to movement up the kite cord when the parachute secured to the device is caught by the wind and which permits prompt return of the device down the string after the parachute has been released.

Still another object of the invention is the provision'of a parachute release for kites of such construction that no misadjustment will result even when used over a long period of time.

Other obj ects and advantages will be apparent from the specification and drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a general perspective view of one form of the invention showing it applied to a conventional kite.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the pre- I erred form of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the oppos' endofthe device from that shown in.Fig. 2.

gjigmiisa yertical cross-sectionalview o f the preferred form of the invention as taken along lines 44 of Fig. 2. I Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device as taken along lines 5-5 'of'Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an end elevational view similarto that shown in Fig. 2 but illustrating the assembly of the two portions of the device. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section view of the preferred'form of the device showing the samein its extended position in combination with the-kite string and the parachute securing means.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional viewof-a modified form of the device.

Fig. 9 isan end elevational view of the modifle form of the invention as taken along lines 9-9 of Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the modified form of the invention as taken along lines l0--l 0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the modified form of the invention similar to Fig. 9but illustrating the assembly of .thetwo'portionsof mannerwhich will subsequently bedescribed in detail. Adjacent the kite 3 and secured *to th'e cord! is a stop] which is adapted'to arrest upward motion of the device along the cord 2 and simultaneously release the hanger 6 from the device l. to permit dropping of. the parachute 4. This stop 1 may be of any form so long as it is securelyv fastened to the cord 2, and may comprise a disk of hard rubber or the like having a slit extending radiallyfromits centerto permit the speedy insertion of thecord into the disk.

Referring to, Figs. 2-6 wherein the preferred form ofthe invention is illustrated, the, device comprises a cylindrical-walled sleeve'fl 0 which'is preferably formed of plastic and which is adapted .to receive-the cord-2 therethrough. This'slejeve ID has a lengthpreferably equal to about5or 6.

times its diameterto facilitate its" longitudinal movement along the 'string.' The ends of, the.

sleeve ID are preferably flared outwardly adjacent its top as indicated at I I in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and'6 such. as knotsgare encountered] (Fig. .7) daggers-we means the cord engaging portion of the sleeve ID from which the device is suspended. The bottom of the sleeve i is that portion to which the hanger 6 of the parachute is secured.

Slidably received within the sleeve is a semicylindrical slide I2 which is turned to such a radius that it may slide easily along the sleeve 10 longitudinally of the latter. This sleeve 12 is provided at its forward end with a radially outwardly projecting flange l3 which prevents movement of the slide rearwardly of the sleeve 10 when said slide is substantially within the sleeve as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The terms forward and rearward as applied to the sleeve i0 and the slide [2 refer to the direction of the device up and down the string respectively, the forward end bein nearest the kite.

The bottom of the sleeve H! is provided with rearwardly opening slot 14 which extends a substantial distance along the length of the sleeve l-fl (Figs. 4 and 5). Slidably received within this slot I4 is a downwardly directed projection l5 adjacent the rearwardly directed end of slide 12 and integral therewith. This projection 15 prevents forward motion of the slide 12 after the projection i5 engages the closed end 16 of the slot l4. Thus it is seen .that the slide I2 is .free for longitudinal movement within the sleeve in but complete removal of the slide 12 is prevented by the flange l3 and the projection I5. It should also be noted-that the coaction between projection 15 and slot l4 prevents rotation ofthe slidel2 with respect to the-sleeve [0, in the same manner as a spline connection between telescopically arrangedv members.

-The sleeve I0 is provided intermediate its ends with a downwardly opening aperture 20 through which the hanger 6 of the parachute is adapted to bereceived. This aperture 20 is adaptedito register with the enlarged end 2| of a keyhole slot 22 in the slide l2 when the slide is substantially within the sleeve H] as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Upon forward movement of the slide 12 with respect-to the sleeve ill, the reduced elongated portion 23.-of the keyhole slot 22 will remain in reg-' istration with the aperture 20 in the slide 12 and said reducedportion may receive the shank 24- of the hanger 6 (Fig. 7). vided with an enlarged end 25 which is preferably spherical in shape and this end may be-passed through the enlarged end 21 of keyhole slot '22,

but the, reduced portion 23 of the keyhole slot 22 the aperture 20 of the sleeve l2 and also the enlarged portion 21 of the slide l2 when the slide is within the sleeve as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Upon forward motion of the slide l2 with respect to the sleeve 10, the hanger 6 will be secured within the device by means of the enlarged end 25 and willnot be released until the slide 12 is returned so that the aperture 20 and the enlarged portion 2! of the keyhole slot are in registration.

' In operation, the cord 2 is threaded longitudinally through the sleeve l0 and the kite flown to its desired position at which time the device with the parachute attached may be released. The wind will carry the device upwardly along the cord 2 until the stop 1 i engaged by the forward end'of slide I2 thereby moving the slide l2 rearwardly until the fiange I3 engages the forward The hanger 6 is pro 4 will be in registration and the hanger 6 will be permitted to fall free.

It is pertinent to note that the hanger 6 tends to force the slide l2 and the sleeve l0 together during upward movement of the device thus preventing the slide 12 from sliding along the sleeve l0 under the action of the wind only. Since the slide [2 is free for sliding movement along the sleeve in in its normal position, this becomes very important to the proper functioning of the invention.

After the parachute is released, the device will slide downwardly by gravity along the cord 2 and another parachute may be sent up if desired.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8-11 and the typical arrangement of the cord 2 and the hanger 6 which is common to both forms of the invention is shown in Fig. 7. In this modified form, the slide 3| is provided with a flange 32 at its forward end similar to the flange l3 of Figs. 3-5 and an upwardly directed projem tion 33 adjacent the rearward end of slide 3| is provided on one'of the free edges of said slide for engaging the end of a longitudinally extending ridge 34 extending radially inwardly from the side of sleeve at a point about centrally between the topand bottom of the said sleeve. Longitue dinal movement of the slide 31 with respect-to the sleeve 30 is thus limited by the flange 321and'the projection 33. A ridge similar to ridge 3dv but preferably extending the entire length of the sleeve 30 is thus limited by the flange 32 and the projection 33. A ridge 35 similar to ridge B l-but preferably extending the entire length of the sleeve 30 is formed in the sleeve 30 opposite the ridge 34. The ridges 34 and 35 prevent rotation of the slide 3| with respect to the sleeve 3Q. This modified form does not require the slotting of the bottom of the sleeve 30. The opening in the sleeve 30 and the slide 3! for supporting and'releasing the parachute hanger 6 are similar to those shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7 and are, similarly numbered. As has been pointed out, the slide is permanently secured within the sleeve at all slide is positioned as shown in Fig. 8.

endlofjthe'sleeve ifi'a't which time the aperture 2U andthe enlarged end 2 I of the keyhole slot 2 2 times and the two portions cannot be inadvertent-. ly separated and lost. However, by the use of.- plastic in forming these elements, assembly of the. device is simple. Figs. 6 and 11 illustrate the. method of assembling the devices of the preferred form and modified form respectively. Referring, to Fig. 6, it is seen that the sides of the slide may; be squeezed together adjacent the rearwardly fac-J; ing end of the slide 3! to permit insertion of the. slide and the projection l 5 within the sleeve from its forward end. The slide may then'be moved longitudinally of the sleeve and rotated as desiredj until the projection I5 springs into the slot Hi.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 11, the slide 31 may be turned from its normal position and inserted into the sleeve until the projection 33 passes the rearwardly directed end of the ridge 34. The slide may then be rotated in the direction indicated in Fig. 11 until the The invention herein described has been foun to be very satisfactory for its purpose under all possible conditions. The relativelysturdy construction permitted by the present invention makes misadjustment impossible even under. rough usage and yet the device is light and ofiers' practically no resistance to movement up the kite strings. There are no wires which. may be bent out of shape and the device may be carried in a pocket without fear of injury to the clothing. The particular embodiments of the device aueaoso herein described are not to be taken as restrictive of theinvention as it is apparent that minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A parachute carrying and release device for use with an upwardly sloping kite cord comprising, a tubular sleeve adapted to be supported on said cord for slidable movement therealong when said cord is passed longitudinally through said sleeve, a slide mounted in said sleeve for limited longitudinal movement from a position with one end in advance of said sleeve to a position substantially within said sleeve, an aperture in said sleeve and a keyhole slot in said slide for passing a parachute hanger therethrough for supporting said hanger for upward movement along said cord with said slide in advance of said sleeve, said slot being provided with an enlarged portion in registration with said aperture when said sleeve is substantially within said sleeve for releasing said hanger through said portion and said aperture when said slide is engaged by an obstruction on said cord and moved to a position substantially within said sleeve.

2. A parachute carrying and release device for use with an upwardly sloping kite cord comprising, a tubular sleeve adapted to be supported on said cord for slidable movement therealong when said cord is passed longitudinally through said sleeve, a slide mounted in said sleeve for limited longitudinal movement from a position with one end in advance of said sleeve to a position substantially within said sleeve, an aperture in said sleeve and a keyhole slot in said slide for passing a parachute hanger therethrough for supporting said hanger for upward movement along said cord with said slide in advance of said sleeve, said slot being provided with an enlarged portion in registration with said aperture when said'slide is substantially within said sleeve for releasing said hanger through said portion and said aperture when said slide is engaged by an obstruction on said cord and moved to a position substantially within said sleeve, a projection on said slide adapted to engage said sleeve for limiting longitudinal movement of said slide with respect to said sleeve.

' 3. A parachute carrying and release device for use with an upwardly sloping kite cord comprising, a tubular sleeve adapted to be supported on said cord for slidable movement therealong when said cord is passed longitudinally through said sleeve, a slide mounted in said sleeve for limited longitudinal movement from a position with one end in advance of said sleeve to a position substantially within said sleeve, an aperture in said sleeve and a keyhole slot in said slide for passing a parachute hanger therethrough for supporting said hanger for upward movement along said cord with said slide in advance of said sleeve, said slot being provided with an enlarged portion in registration with said aperturewhen said slide is substantially within said sleeve for releasing said hanger through said portion and said aperture when said slide is engaged by an obstruction on said cord and moved to a position substantially within said sleeve, interengaging projections on said sleeve and said slide for limiting longitudinal movement of said slide with respect to said sleeve and forpreventing complete withdrawal of the former from the latter.

4. A parachute carrying device for sliding longitudinally along the kite cord of a flying kite comprising an inner member and an elongated outer member, said outer member being tubular and open ended for passage of said cord longitudinally therethrough whereby said outer member will be suspended from saidcord, said inner member being reciprocably slidable within said outer member from a parachute holding position projecting a substantial distance from the end of said outer member toward the kite to a parachute releasing position with said innermember substantially enclosed with said outer member, a parachute having a hanger, means on said inner member for holding said hanger when said inner member is in said parachute holding position, said means being movable out of said holding position for releasing said hanger upon said movement of said inner member into said outer member, said inner member being adapted to so move into said outer member upon the said projecting end thereof engaging an obstacle, and an obstacle secured to said cord for so engaging said inner member, the said end of said outer member nearest said kite being flared outwardly, said inner and said outer member being formed with openings larger than the dimensions of said hanger adapted to be movable into registration with each other when said inner member is sub stantially enclosed within said outer member, said hanger extending through one of said openings when said members are in parachute holding position and being movable through both of said openings when said inner member is substantially enclosed within said outer member whereby said hanger will be released from said inner and said outer members when they are in said last mentioned position.

H. LE MONT BIRD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,471,199 Coyne et a1. May 24, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 9,004 Great Britain or 1910 

